Disability Application Approval Rates

On average, seventy-five percent of all initial disability applications are denied. However, as grim as these statistics seem, the same percentage of applicants go on to win their cases following an appeal. This fact alone should be an incentive for those disabled individuals choosing to engage in the rigorous application and appeals process. Although the disability process from beginning to end is lengthy, easily consuming up towards two years before a decision is made, those receiving benefits feel it is worth the wait.

Since fibromyalgia is not on the list of those medical conditions that warrant automatic approval, initial applications for SSDI and SSI benefits for fibromyalgia are normally denied. However, your odds improve substantially if you follow the appeals process and you are afforded a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Having skilled representation accompany you to such a hearing actually increases the odds in your favor.